Heyman seems stunned, too shocked to speak. He’s staring up at me with an ashen face and parted lips.
“Answer him, dickhead,” Magner hisses at him, clutching the back of his thick neck and shaking him once.
“I-I-I…” Heyman stutters, then swallows. “I will,” he breathes out. “I swear it’s the first thing I’ll do.”
I grin. “Good.” Patting his now-stained jaw, I move back and jerk my head forward. “Off you go. You’ve got a message to deliver, after all. Chop-chop, Heyman.”
As soon as Magner releases him, Heyman gasps and darts out of our space, panting even before he starts running towards the garden’s clearing. His steps are heavy, his speed compromised because of his heavy frame. But he runs, and just before he goes out of view, he turns around and gives me a look of utter contempt. I wiggle my bloody fingers at him, which only makes him run harder.
Magner chuckles. “What a shitshow.”
“The night, or our escaped prisoner?” I ask.
“Both,” he muses.
I laugh, and he quickly joins in.
“Dorran!” Safiya calls out.
I whip my head at her, and immediately start running when I notice her and Alex holding an unconscious Cignette between them.
“What the fuck happened?” the question rushes out of me as soon as I reach them. I step in front of Alex and gently lift Cignette in my arms, settling her head into the crook of my neck.
I study the even rhythm of her breaths and the handkerchief covering her bullet wound. And then I look at her torn dress and bruised ankle, and my anger threatens to push itself out of my burning veins.
“She just fainted out of the blue,” Varsha answers my question, making me turn my attention to her. “She was fine a second ago, and then she fell against Safiya.”
“It wasn’t sudden,” I state. “She collapsed on me earlier; I told her she needed to get checked out. But she wanted to watch Fred die first, and I just couldn’t say no.”
“Hey, it’s fine, don’t worry,” Aras says, walking over to me. “I’ve checked her pulse already, and it seems steady. I’ve also just called an ambulance, so help’s on the way. She’ll be fine, Ledger.”
“I’ll get cars ready for the rest of us,” Magner announces, then jogs off to the exit.
“I’m assuming she’s concussed,” Solo remarks, then places a hand on my shoulder. “That, and the shock of getting hit with a gunshot must’ve stressed her brain. Try not to drown yourself in what’s happened already, kid, and focus on the present moment. She’ll need you while she recovers.”
I swallow, then exhale softly. “Yeah, I know.” I sniff and glance down at Cigs, then press her body further against mine.
Solo pats my shoulder before pulling away his hand. “Let’s head out and wait for the ambulance on estate grounds, everyone,” he orders, making his way towards the clearing.
Aras joins him, followed closely by the rest of my crew.
I’ve only just reached halfway through the garden when a shadow moves to my right. My feet falter, then stop completely as I look in its direction, and see what, or ratherwho, is leaning against one of the massive hedges.
Jayce.
My mouth dries out; my head starts spinning. I am well aware that this is just a fickle of my imagination, yet somehow, I want this moment to last as long as it possibly can.
Jayce smiles, and a tear slides down my face as I smile back at him.
“I miss you,” I whisper the words, too afraid I might end this mirage if I speak any louder.
Jayce’s smile turns rueful. “I love you, brother.” The chilly wind carries his voice to me, and before I can tell him that I love him as well, he turns and disappears into the hedge, leaving me aching and empty.
“Ledge?”
I blink and look forward, and see Alex watching me with a confused expression on his face.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
